There are thousands of car accidents every year. Many of those accidents were caused by the negligence or lack of ordinary care by one or both of the drivers. If you are involved in a car accident, what should you do?
(This guide does not establish any attorney-client relationship with author)
1
Prepare before the accident happens
Keep your car well-maintained for your safety as well as the other drivers on the roads of North Carolina. Wear your seatbelt and obey the traffic laws. Be sure you have current insurance for your car. Keep flashlights and flares in your car in the event of a nighttime accident. Keep a notepad and pencil to take notes and witness information. Keep a disposable camera in your glove compartment.
2
Don't leave the scene
North Carolina law requires that the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in personal injury, property damage or death stop his vehicle at the scene of the accident.
3
Render reasonable assistance to any injured person
You also have a duty under N.C. law to render reasonable assistance to any injured person. Even if you are unknowledgeable about first aid or emergency assistance, you can call 911 and request medical help. If you do render emergency medical treatment, you are protected from any civil lawsuit for such help unless you recklessly or intentional cause further damage.
4
Call the Police
In N.C., even if there is no personal injury, if the accident involves more than $1000 in damage to the vehicles, the police must be called. When the officer arrives, he will investigate the scene, interview the parties and witnesses, and may issue citations for one or both drivers.
5
Stay Safe
The scene of an accident is a dangerous place. Keep well back from the road and avoid standing between two cars. You may want to have someone stationed to warn approaching traffic. At night, use flares and flashlights. If there are no obvious personal injuries, and the car can be driven normally, move the vehicles off the road.
Comments - add comment